Houston Astros turn their attention to Game 5

Published 4:00 pm, Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa reacts after hitting a home run during the ALDS baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, in Houston.

Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa reacts after hitting a home run during the ALDS baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, in Houston.

Photo: Michael Minasi

Houston Astros turn their attention to Game 5

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HOUSTON - A quick trip to the Houston Astros clubhouse on Monday evening revealed a couple of things.

First of all, no one was feeling sorry for themselves. The Astros had just been stunned by the Kansas City Royals in Game 4 of the American League Divsional Series, blowing a four-run lead in the eighth inning.

But the Astros get another chance in Game 5 on Wednesday night in Kansas City, and the nature of the game says they’re embracing that opportunity, ready to take their best shot at the winner-take-all game in Missouri.

Even if they’ve been an average team, at best, on the road this season.

The Astros believe they’ve got another chance to prove themselves. They certainly didn’t prove they could protect a lead over the final two innings on Monday at Minute Maid Park.

“(It was a) tough game (Monday) and a good game ;... Take the positives away and make the series intense.”

Now the Astros will be packing their bags and leaving for Kansas City, instead of turning their attention to the ALCS against either Toronto or the Texas Rangers.

The Blue Jays forced a decisive Game 5 themselves on Monday evening in Arlington, winning 8-4 to send that series back to Toronto.

The Astros need to focus on the matter at hand. Collin McHugh, a 6-foot-2 right-hander, will get the start for the Astros in Game 5. The Royals will counter with Johnny Cueto.

“I don’t really think anybody thinks that we’re done or it’s over,” Astros right fielder George Springer said. “That’s a good team over there, but we’re a good team too. So anything could happen.”

A grueling stretch of baseball, paired with some arguably lucky bounces for the Royals, forced the Astros to board the plane on Monday night.

Comeback victories are nothing new to these teams in the ALDS. Three of the four games have been decided that way, with the Royals coming back to win Games 2 and 4, and the Astros doing the same thing in Game 3 on Sunday.

The question is, how much do the Astros have left in the tank?

“They know we’re here,” Astros outfielder Colby Rasmus said. “They know we’re playing them well. Been playing them good the whole series. Its baseball man, it’s awesome. Awesome time, it’s been a great series. Been a blast playing against (the Royals), its good baseball.”

The Astros are 1-0 in elimination games this postseason. Dallas Keuchel guided the team to a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees last week — in The Bronx, no less — in the AL wild-card game.

Despite the troubling conclusion to Game 4, Astros closer Luke Gregerson said his team is ready for what’s on the horizon.

“I think overall the team is playing phenomenal baseball,” he said. “The eighth and ninth today just got away from us .... That’s unfortunate, because we had a nice little lead there and our home field. Everyone was feeling good.

“It’s unfortunate, but I think we have a lot of confidence going back to (Kansas City).”